Sri Lanka's Cabinet has approved a proposal to import 70,000 tons of rice as a short-term solution to address the country's domestic rice shortage and rising prices.

The shortage has affected both common and popular varieties of rice, including Nadu rice, which has been in limited supply for several weeks.

The rice will be imported by two government trading companies—Lanka Sathosa and the Sri Lanka State Trading Corporation—by December 15, 2024. This is expected to stabilize the rice market and ensure that there is enough rice available to consumers, especially during the upcoming festive season.

Typically, Sri Lanka produces enough rice to meet domestic demand, but factors like heavy rains, floods, and cyclones sometimes damage the paddy crops, leading to the need for imports.

India and Pakistan are Sri Lanka's main sources for rice imports, with India being the priority supplier due to its competitive pricing and sufficient stock for export. The rice consignments from southern India are expected to reach Sri Lanka without significant delays.